21 Ways To Wake Up Your Work Day

It’s 3 p.m. and you’ve hit that sluggish point in your day but before you reach for another cup of coffee, a chocolate bar, or nod off at your computer terminal try the following tips to refresh yourself.

1. Give yourself a beauty break. Go the rest room, brush your hair, splash cold water on your face and reapply your make-up.
2. Run an ice pack (the one you used in your lunch bag will work great) or a cold beverage can over your neck and forehead. The strong chill should revive you instantly.
3. Liven up your taste buds by popping cinnamon gum or a strong peppermint in your mouth.
4. Try tackling the harder tasks first thing in the morning when you are most refreshed and leave the easier stuff for later in the day.
5. Grab a quick dose of fresh air by walking around the block. Take plenty of deep breaths. Walking quickly will increase your heart rate and will re-energize you faster than if you took a slow leisurely stroll.
6. Keep fresh fruit handy. Citrus fruit is especially useful as you can also savour its fragrance as you eat it.
7. Send your mind on vacation – momentarily that is. Close your eyes, put your head on your desk and picture yourself relaxing on a tropical beach or sipping a fruity cocktail. On your lunch hour pick up some travel brochures and plan a dream getaway – wine tasting in the south of France, backpacking across Europe, taking an Alaskan cruise etc.
8. Do some deep breathing right at your desk. Slowly take several deep breaths. Inhale through your stomach and slowly exhale to the count of ten.
9. Stay hydrated. Keep an eight ounce bottle of water on your desk and refill it several times a day.
10. If you crave a warm drink, forget the coffee and try a rejuvenating cup of herbal tea instead. Go for the decaffeinated version. If you don’t normally drink herbal tea you may be surprised at the vast array of flavours now available on the store shelves. Start with one of your favourite fruit blends and go from there.
11. Create a list of goals. Often writing down your dreams can help keep your goals in focus. By writing your lists in a book you can revisit them often and see what you’ve been able to accomplish. Feeling positive about both your business and personal goals can go along way to keeping you pumped throughout the day.
12. As often as possible try to fit in a lunch time workout. For many there’s nothing more refreshing than a workout followed by a midday shower.
13. Spend your lunch hour wandering into new sections of your favourite bookstore. You may discover a latent love of mysteries or biographies. Then spend your breaks reading something you’re passionate about.
14. If you’re unable to leave your desk during the day stretch your neck arms, chest, legs and even your toes right at your desk.
15. Consider doing a little weight lifting as well. Use five-pound hand weights or be creative with two similarly weighted books. A few arm curls should have you perked up in no time.
16. Clutter can cause visual stress. Clearing even a small area of paper clutter from your desk can be energizing. The same goes for your pen/pencil holder and any thick file folders that could benefit from a little purging.
17. Reposition yourself and your furniture. From time to time we all need a change. If possible rearrange your office furniture so you’re facing a different direction. A new window or even a new wall to look at can be all the change the you need to feel more refreshed.
18. If you face a wall or a window without a view, consider occasionally bringing fresh flowers and placing them in a nearby vase.
19. Keep a few eucalyptus branches in your office, their energizing scent will help keep you alert.
20. Regardless of the season, use a fan to give yourself a burst of cool air.
21. Get a good night’s sleep. For many people eight hours of shut-eye a night is mandatory. Anything less will leave you feeling drained the next day.